Author Topic: Getting old riding problems:merged topics (Read 1788 times)

Gliderjohn · « **on:** October 12, 2021, 08:07:25 PM »

I am 66 and overall doing well except for my hands. A few years ago had an overall physical condition evaluation done all was very good but my hand strength was well below where it should have been. My hand joints are really starting to be a long distance riding issue. The rest of my body is doing quite well overall for riding. The Norge has heated grips which helps quite a bit. Even in warm to hot weather I keep the grips on low heat. The use of Meloxicam helps. Other thoughts out there?
GliderJohn

John A · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2021, 08:22:06 PM »

Hands! They sure are handy. The joint at the base of my left thumb wouldn’t stay together. I went to the VA and found they had a really talented Hand Lady, retired now. She told me I had two options: surgery or try exercise. After talking to a few different surgeons, I opted for the exercise which has worked well. I wish the other joints would respond as quickly.

dxhall · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2021, 08:29:17 PM »

I find that fat grips, or “grip puppy” type foam grips over the stock grips, reduces my hand aches.

The cruise control on the V85 is a huge help.

jrt · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2021, 08:40:10 PM »

I laughed at cruise control on motorcycles until I tried it. Pretty much required equipment now.

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2021, 08:40:10 PM »

dave1068 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2021, 08:41:30 PM »

I had some lower back issue with my sacroilliac joint getting "locked" Went to the Dr who also motorcycles and looked at the x-ray and right away saw it, he then referred me to a chiropractor, who also is a motorcyclist and he worked on it along with doing some exercises along with advil or magnesium before riding.

I turn 53 tomorrow and I notice my hands are sometimes sore in the morning but the pain goes away on its own. I have heard grip puppies, like the old grab on grips work pretty good,

Rich A · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2021, 08:58:14 PM »

Hydraulic clutch?

Rich A

RinkRat II · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2021, 09:16:11 PM »

Steal the hand ball from your dog and squeeze that sucker while your relaxing, but on a regular basis. The other option is a hand exerciser from wally world. Get the adjustable one. Gotta do it on a regular basis along with wrist flexion. My $.02

Paul B

berniebee · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2021, 09:22:25 PM »

My mother-in-law says: "Getting older is not fun, but it's preferable to the alternative."

I'm pushing 64. I've noticed that washing my hands in very warm water before playing guitar loosens them up nicely. (I have to thank our little pandemic for this discovery.) So far, they've not been an issue when riding, but my knees! it started in earnest this year. Whether in the car or on the bike or just sitting for a while, unless I move around a bit they stiffen greatly in only a few minutes. It takes a few minutes of slight bends and awkwardly throwing them out front and back, left and right (OR just walking) before I feel right. It takes a quite a while to get loosened enough to skate.

And darn it, I was about to try out this September with the Ottawa Senators. Ah well. Maybe this guitar thing will work out.

MotoG5 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2021, 09:28:04 PM »

Quote from: Gliderjohn on October 12, 2021, 08:07:25 PM

I am 66 and overall doing well except for my hands. A few years ago had an overall physical condition evaluation done all was very good but my hand strength was well below where it should have been. My hand joints are really starting to be a long distance riding issue. The rest of my body is doing quite well overall for riding. The Norge has heated grips which helps quite a bit. Even in warm to hot weather I keep the grips on low heat. The use of Meloxicam helps. Other thoughts out there?
GliderJohn

Is it all of the joints in your hands or just the thumbs?

twowings · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2021, 09:42:37 PM »

Work on your core strength.

Your weight should not be all supported by your hands and arms when riding.

kirby1923 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2021, 09:50:57 PM »

I'm sure not qualified to offer medical advice but...

Two things
1. use grip exercise of some sort..very important. I use spring type grip trainers about 3 times a day doing many reps and have several pair I carry in the AC and in my tank bag/side cases on the bike.

2. Have a nutritionist look at your diet,(very important), you might be eating something that causes your joint problem, or contributing to it.

I also do deep squats every day for leg strength. I have done that many years and I can do it ,but would be hard for some or not possible.

Also, throttle friction locks are without doubt needed so you relax your grip on the long haul. I personally not a fan of "cruise control" but better than nothing.

cheers.

:-)

krglorioso · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2021, 10:01:44 PM »

I have some wrist arthritis and have found a Crampbuster ($10) is a big help on the throttle. It takes a little getting used to, but in heavy traffic (not frequent here in Sticksville) I can ride with the fingers of my Right hand resting lightly on the front brake lever and operating the twist grip by "palming" the Crampbuster. Allows a very quick response when the front brake is needed NOW!.

Ralph

john fish · « **Reply #12 on:** October 13, 2021, 05:41:52 AM »

That's one of the reasons I like my KLR650 so much: ergonomics. Sitting upright with wide 'bars is much easier on the hands, wrists, spine, and knees.

Rough Edge racing · « **Reply #13 on:** October 13, 2021, 05:43:49 AM »

Two years ago at 72 I was trim with no strength or mobility issues. Them Mr Cancer moved in...Holding my own for now but treatments have weakened me with a loss of muscle mass.
I can no longer kick start my British 650-750 twins. I bought a roller starter for home...So all my rides are non stop unless visiting a friend who can kick start an old bike...A lost art any many cant do it...
So it is what it is, my hot rod 750 Triumph is for sale but I will keep the A10 ....I
my other bike is electric start...

lucian · « **Reply #14 on:** October 13, 2021, 06:05:25 AM »

strength exercises as mentioned, don't over do it, just do it frequently and as is comfortable for you. I've always gone to warm water soaks with Epsom salt added when pain or arthritis flares up. works for me .

chuck peterson · « **Reply #15 on:** October 13, 2021, 06:06:50 AM »

Depends..

egschade · « **Reply #16 on:** October 13, 2021, 06:43:56 AM »

Core stuff as mentioned. I use a throttle rocker / cramp buster to relax the right hand. Have you tried compression gloves? A friend of mine wears them under his leather gloves and swears by them. Be sure to get one without the wrist strap or they may not go into your regular gloves.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #17 on:** October 13, 2021, 06:54:36 AM »

John, have you gone to a specialist and had X rays, etc.? It was getting to where I couldn't use the clutch on any of my bikes without serious pain. He said the joint at the base of my thumb was toast, and put in new stuff. It's been almost a year now, and I'm pain free on that hand. It's a fairly major operation, though..

I thought that if it worked on my left hand, I'd have the right one done. Uhhh, that right one is just fine.

Actually, it is. I was probably over using the right.

Deno · « **Reply #18 on:** October 13, 2021, 07:02:15 AM »

Voltaren gel has helped me. I have RA which affects my wrists the most. The compression gloves makes sense as well.

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #19 on:** October 13, 2021, 07:56:11 AM »

Thanks all for the replies. Basically is all the joints in the fingers and especially the lower thumb joints. Clutch use is really not an issue especially on the Norge. They just don't like being wrapped around the grips for an extended period of time. I will pick up one of those exercise things.
GliderJohn

Rich A · « **Reply #20 on:** October 13, 2021, 08:58:10 AM »

Cortisone shots in the finger joints have worked well for me--you might look into those. There are cautions and downsides to going that route, however.

Rich A

LowRyter · « **Reply #21 on:** October 13, 2021, 09:08:31 AM »

My left thumb had been very painful since the late winter this year. In March I went to Physical Therapist that specialized in hands. She gave me slip on splint that she made for me on the spot (it's boiled plastic of some type) and she gave me a list of exercises. Over time it helped a lot.

And overdoing it with your hands over time can wear out the joints & tendons, like twisting jar lids. One think she cautioned me, "don't squeeze a rubber ball."

I hope you've gone to the best PT.

Stretch · « **Reply #22 on:** October 13, 2021, 09:09:05 AM »

Quote

I have some wrist arthritis and have found a Crampbuster ($10) is a big help on the throttle

Those CrampBusters are brilliant!

Cheap, simple to install, and simple to use. Super effective engineering. They make all the
difference riding long distances on the highway.

My left buttock bothers me, as does my left knee. Stretching is the key to fixing that for me.
I can't over- emphasize a simple stretching routine every day as one ages. It's made a HUGE
difference for me. 10 - 15 minutes is all it takes.

Base of my left thumb has been problematic for decades. Exercise and stretching......

-Stretch

Tkelly · « **Reply #23 on:** October 13, 2021, 09:47:42 AM »

Adjustable clutch and brake levers on my Stelvio are a big help.

Caffeineo · « **Reply #24 on:** October 13, 2021, 10:25:38 AM »

Lots of good info and suggestions. I would recommend taking some type of Omega 3 oil, aka fish oil, krill oil, Omega 3 fatty acids, New Zealand green lipped muscle...... A natural anti-inflammatory. I find that if I miss a few consecutive days that my feet and ankles are quite sore. Not that expensive and lots of other good benefits too. Best of luck in finding what works for you.

Stratodisaster · « **Reply #25 on:** October 13, 2021, 03:50:19 PM »

I relocated my windscreen switches and that helped some narrowed handlebars about 1 1/2 inches. Also,and you may know this, but Breva risers will work on Norge. You’ll have to leave the little plastic piece off or reshape it. Cortisone might help if it’s inflammation it it osteoarthritis not much. Other than that stop more often to rest and chunk down a couple of Advils. Good luck

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #26 on:** October 13, 2021, 08:07:24 PM »

I have the 8V Norge so handlebar placement is not a problem. Part of the problem has been not riding enough, at least for extended periods of time. Also keep forgetting much of the time to take a Meloxicam before riding. After we move may have to look into some PT. Sounds like when traveling I should take some Epsom Salts with me.The Norge throttle is very light so just resting the hand on the grip works fine. The T-3 has the friction screw and a cramp buster. With the Norge had a friction screw so I could just take my hand off throttle from time to time though.
GliderJohn

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #27 on:** October 14, 2021, 07:58:51 AM »

^^^^ John Henry adapted an automotive cruise control to a Norge a few years ago..

John A · « **Reply #28 on:** October 14, 2021, 09:52:44 AM »

https://www.disabled-bikers.com/
I found this site for products I’ve not seen much of. The carriers for service dogs are nice but spendy
I was looking at the products and see there is some greed associated with a distributor ( Klicktronics) shown on some parts https://www.disabled-bikers.com/motorcycleelectricshifters

JC85 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 14, 2021, 02:34:35 PM »

Two things that I would recommend looking into:

The first is a no brained: an easy clutch system. I'm not sure what the options are for Guzzis, but a family member who has trouble with arthritis has benefited massively, since putting one on his bike.

The second is a throttle assist. Simple, cheap product that makes those long rides so much easier on the throttle hand/wrist. I love mine. Here's a link the the one that I have: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Motorcycle-Rest%EF%BC%8CAuxiliary-Accelerator-Assistant/dp/B091PNKV54/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=cramp+buster&qid=1634238985&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzSEtLTENBNjlKUlJTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTg1NjYyNFlXUTI5MlJLWlJHJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MjgyNDQxNTdFUllJUDRSNEMmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

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Author Topic: Getting old riding problems:merged topics (Read 1788 times)

Wildguzzi.com

Rough Edge racing